Team USA, Free Agency, and Other Stuff…

Some quick hit notes about what’s going on recently in the Olympics and the NBA in general…

*Team USA ran away with it’s third consecutive game with a 92-69 bashing of Greece. From the recap, this was obviously a meaningful game for the Americans. Out of all the recent failings of Team USA in international competition, none has stung more than the defeat they suffered at the hands of the Greeks in the World Championships in 2006. With that extra motivation, Team USA used its pressure defense and athleticism to take down the Greeks in another rout for the U.S. in its quest for Gold. Today’s highlight play (SportsCenter’s Top 10 play for sure) was a D-Wade steal and perfectly thrown lob to Kobe for a tremendous two handed slam all while Wade was falling out of bounds. If you haven’t seen it yet, believe me, you’ll get plenty of chances later today. (Update: here it is. Hat tip to Awful Announcing via Ball Don’t Lie.)

*Speaking of Wade, Flash is back. (Besides Bosh) Wade has been the pleasant suprise of Team USA. I was one person who, before this tournament started, questioned Wade and how he would fit in with this team and whether his game would translate well to the FIBA style of play. I thought of an inconsistent long range jumpshot and wondered how he would create for himself against the zones that Team USA was likely to face. Color me dumb. Wade’s first step and strength has been the difference in him getting whatever he wants on offense, be it scoring or creating for others. Wade has been fantasic as a playmaker (5 assists in 20 minutes against Greece) and has wreaked havoc in the passing lanes (6! steals in this game) and in finishing on the break (he’s obviously not alone there, though).

*As for our favorite son, Kobe, he finally had a more efficient offensive game. Kobe had 18 pts. on 7-14 shooting and finally found some range on his jumper, going 2-5 from deep. There have been questions about Kobe’s offense…if the shorter 3 point arc is messing him up, if his hand is injured, if he’s tired, or if the magnitude of playing in the Olympics (remember it’s his first time in FIBA play on this grand a stage) has him a little too excited. Maybe it’s all of the above. I happen to think he’s just a little out of rhythm and that his offense will come. I also think that his “doberman” mentality on defense has made his offensive game less efficient. He’s treating every defensive possesion like it’s the final possesion in the game and working like a mad man. Sometimes working that hard on D makes your O suffer. But, he had a decent game today, so maybe he’s turning the corner.

*Other Olympic notes: Pau Gasol has played well for Spain. He’s been shooting a good percentage from the field and had an excellent showing against the host country, China, with 29 pts., 8 reb., and 3 blocks. Our other favorite Sun, Mr. Yue has played well. His exploits against Team USA have been covered, but he also had a nice outing against Angola. Sun had 11 points on 4-4 shooting (including 2-2 on threes) while also registering 2 assists and 2 steals in 29 minutes.

*On to the Association…In case you haven’t heard, Josh Smith and Andre Iguodala re-upped with their respective teams. Iggy definitely got the better of the two deals, and as the better player (IMO) I think that should be the case. As for Smith, Memphis GM Chris Wallace should get another high-five from a rival GM as he gave the Hawks an easy out by signing J-Smooth to a very fair market contract offer-sheet, and thus easily allowing the Hawks to match. Even with ownership issues abound in the ATL, matching that deal was easy as pie. Also making news of late is the 3 team trade that landed Lebron a new running-mate in PG Mo Williams. Without getting too much into the details of the deal (but if you want a strong oppinion, check out Hollinger’s), I think the Cavs did well to get another guy who can handle the ball and score some points. Williams may not be a classic PG, but he can handle the ball, run an offense, and he can score the ball, thus allowing Lebron a little more rest on offense.

*One final Olympics note: Big props to Michael Phelps. I am a Phelps Phan and will be rooting him on tonight in his quest for more shiny neck ware.